Aussie Couple score Bali vacation for 72c

Bali luxury villas guests, would you believe that you can have your dream Bali holiday for just 72c?

For just pocket change, Australian grandparents Ernie and Hilda Ross have been able to book a week's accommodation in Bali.

Thanks to a too-good-to-be true offer from Webjet, a licensed Travel Agent public company, the Ausssie couple, both aged 74, couldn't believe their incredible stroke of luck when their son was able to scour Webjet and discovered a Bali hotel that offers a rate of just eight cents (NZ10c) per night.

Instead of missing their granddaughter's wedding in October because of their inability to afford the trip overseas, the Rosses were amazed when a salesperson from Webjet had called the couple, confirming that the company would honor the incorrect price.

Mrs. Ross narrated, "When the man told me I said 'that's impossible, they have made a mistake', the man said he was almost 100 percent sure that he could get it honoured. He was laughing and he didn't want to stop talking because he was so excited. Then I asked if breakfast was included and he laughed that much, like I had said something funny."

Thanks to the error, a full week's accommodation in Bali worth just 56 cents (NZ72c) is now waiting for the Rosses. And the best thing about this is they will now also be able to see their granddaughter getting married.

Mrs. Ross said, “We wouldn't have been able to make it, we would have been the only ones missing at the wedding but everything just seemed to fall into place. It's a dream you would never even think about."

Also a member of the Travel Compensation Fund and a licensed member of IATA, Webjet is a travel agency that has met strict financial guidelines and other related qualifications, enabling them issue electronic airline tickets.

Webjet’s airline ticketing is undertaken either by the site or by Webjet’s ticketing operator.

Bali Regeneration Foundation and Carrefour Join Forces in making Bali plastic free

The impacts of the use of plastics to our environment cannot be denied. The damage it can cause to both the living and non-living organisms are widespread. That is why many provinces and countries today are raising drives to eliminate the use of such materials in the hope of also eliminating the risks it poses on human life.

Such is the same realization that Bali has. That is why its governor, Made Mangku Pastika, made a public announcement declaring its goal of making Bali completely plastic-free. In action to this, the Bali Regeneration Foundation, along with Carrefour Supermarkets, is taking steps towards putting an end to the use of plastic shopping bags in the province.

Shopping ways have been changed at the Carrefour Supermarkets. As shoppers go home with their purchases, they are given the option to use reusable cotton bags which are on sale at the supermarket. Otherwise, they can also purchase plastic bags or bring plastic bags that have been used during their past shopping sprees.

“On Bali, there are over 15 million plastic bags distributed daily. By stopping the use of plastic bags, Carrefour and Yayasan Regenerasi Bali will stop over 350,000 plastic bags per month from going into the environment. This will be a great benefit to both people’s health and the environment,” said Gerardus Gemuru, General Manager of Carrefour Bali.

This is an important move towards saving the beautiful island of Bali since it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. If people do not support the project, much damage and risk may be posted on its sites like the Bali luxury villas, Bali villas resort, and private villas in Bali.

Le Monde examines how mass tourism is destroying Bali

It is no wonder, to anyone who knows Bali, why it is a top tourist destination. People who are thinking about having a vacation or holiday will always find Bali at the top of their options. However, it is also important to think and review if this influx of tourists has any adverse effect on the island.


Le Monde, a leading French-language newspaper, has written an article examining how Bali is being destroyed by mass tourism, written by Bruno Philip.


“Bali is not what it used to be” is the statement that Bruno Philip said to both residents and expats in Bali during the course of his writing the article.


It is understood that changes will have to occur considering the progress and modernity the island is going through. However, the greatest threat comes from mass tourism which used to only be cultural tourism.


So what are the causes of this destruction? The author sees the following points. There is the usurpation of agricultural lands and turning them into roads, the emergence of a number of added hotels and luxury villas in Bali, garbage piling up, as well as traffic jams. Indeed, Bali is no longer what it used to be.


Though the governor has already introduced a moratorium to put a hold to investments and projects like the construction of additional private villas in Bali and Bali villas resort, the regional officials have simply ignored this and opposed it.


As for the people, especially the young Balinese, they have already started distancing themselves from the usual and traditional agricultural work and rituals and religious activities. They are in desperate competition for earning dollars, yens, and euros.


“Traditionally, people lived in fear of the gods. Because the Balinese were aware of nature’s forces, rites enabled them to maintain the balance between man and divinity. Now, even though the rites are still respected, an increasing number of people are focused on material possessions. The authorities’ policies are causing a loss of collective wisdom, a blurring of reference points and cultural uprooting,” says a Brahman who lives nearby Ubud.

Re-Discovering Bali Island Through The Sight of the Photographer

Photography has become a common interest of people, professional or amateur. It is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film, or electronically by means of an image sensor.

And Bali, the island in Indonesia that has a number of amazing Bali villas resort and private villas in Bali, was also discovered as a haven for new experiences and adventure. And Europeans were among the first to come to see the island’s beauty and soon after, many writers, artists and other intellects visited it to make a documentation of this serene island.

And even after many years, Hidden Paradise, an international art photography exhibition, features a showcase of pictures and views from the perception of their lenses. This is composed of 12 photographers from different places wherein 6 are from Bali, one is from Java, and another 6 from the international scene.

“It is important for the public in Bali to have more opportunities to view and appreciate photographic exhibitions, especially outside of a gallery environment. It is also necessary to exhibit work by young, local photographers with experienced and successful international photographers to encourage them to develop their passion and skills,” said Ida Bagus Alit, an organizer and featured photographer of the exhibition.

Ida Bagus Alit, Ida Bagus Astara, Ida Bagus Gede Indra Sukma Advaita, Ida Ayu Ega Rahayuni, Ida Ayu Chrisna Dewi and Emile Satyawarman of Indonesia are among the photographers whose works will be featured. Other works also come from Jason Childs and Jill Gocher of Australia; Chieko Maeda of Japan; Jiri Kudrna of Switzerland; Rachel Harding of Britian; and Luciana Ferrero of Italy.

Indeed, Bali is a great place for photography for its wonderful sceneries and, of course, for its luxury villas in Bali.

Young Australian Writer launches books for Indonesian Children

Nicholas Mark

It is no surprise to learn that Bali always makes headlines especially because many tourists, local and foreign, are enticed by its splendid beauty. This, of course, includes the luxury villas in Bali and Bali villas resort, to name a few.

But in recent news, Bali has made the headlines as a young Australian writer launches his book for Indonesian children in Bali.

Entitled Petualangan Anak Indonesia or The Indoventurers, Mark Nicholas considers this book launching a dream come true for him. The book, which is written in pure Bahasa Indonesia language, contains fantasy and adventure stories dedicated to the Balinese children. The news came from a press release from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

“It is such a wonderful experience to read my stories in front of these children for the first time and to see their reactions. I hope these stories will inspire children everywhere to use their imaginations and to cherish Indonesia’s myths and legends,” said the young writer.

The book is a compilation of three stories which are set in Bali, Sumatra, and Yogyakarta. And like some other children’s stories, it also deals with the concept of monsters, golden eggs that are magical, mythical birds, fairies, and other mythical creatures. Meanwhile, Wayan, Mutia, Wanda, and Dani are the heroes in the different stories. They are young Indonesian adventurers.

As for Nicholas’ fluency and proficiency in Bahasa, he studied the language when he was in high school. Further on, he had his first story in 2007 as part of the requirements for his Indonesia Language school assignment which he took at the University of Sydney.

“I hope this story will inspire children to use their imagination and appreciate the myths and legends of Indonesia,” he said

Bali: As A Spiritual Tourism Destination

Balinese people are known to be very religious and spiritual people. Their devotion to their religion and faith is an example that deserves to be emulated by people in the rest of the world. And because of this, tourists, especially the foreign ones, have come to realize that Bali is a place worthy of becoming a spiritual tourism destination.

Bali, the island of the gods in Indonesia, now no longer boasts just of its luxury villas in Bali and Bali villas resort. It is also now the newest destination for spiritual tourism.

According to Bagus Sudibya, deputy chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies in Bali (ASITA Bali), travel agents have consistently received itinerary requests for spiritual tourism.

“Most of the groups are from Australia, the US, Japan and Europe. They usually regularly do activities like yoga or meditation,” he said.

Of the total population of travel agents in Bali, 10 percent have already begun organizing such spiritual tour packages. And about 5 percent of the total foreign tourist arrivals in Bali avail of these packages.

According to their records, a travel agent is able to handle about three or four groups of people every month who engage in spiritual tourism.

“This shows that spiritual tourism has potential to be developed in Bali, and most importantly, it could contribute to improving conditions in Bali as this kind of tourism is more qualified than mass tourism,” added Sudibya.

It was also noted that secluded and quiet places are the target venues of tourists on spiritual tours. Also, at times, it is they who select the specific venues and the travel agents only facilitate the tour.

The Balinese people see this as a positive thing because aside from the private villas in Bali being filled with guests, the guests also are not patronizing sex and other bad activities on the island.

Meet the New General Manager of Anantara Seminyak

Anantara Seminyak Resort has a new general manager!

Set along the sunset side of Bali in the sophisticated yet tranquil Seminyak famous for its private Seminyak villas and limitless options of chic boutique shops, cozy restaurants, adorable clubs, Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa has recently announced of its appointment of Christiane Doris Wasfy as General Manager.

Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort & Spa is well-known for offering the ultimate in relaxation and luxury, with 59 spacious suites that showcase generous living quarters with Balinese-inspired decor, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows, and large balconies with terrazzo tubs for two and lounging spots with views of the stunning Balinese scenery.

Now this luxurious Bali Resort and Spa that is set in Seminyak that is also popular for providing travelers the best dining, shopping, clubbing as well as luxurious villas in Seminyak Bali accommodation experience has Christiane Doris Wasfy as their General Manager.

Bringing with her not only a wealth of international General Manager experiences but also esteemed industry accolades and a lifelong passion for hospitality, Ms. Wasfy took up this new role in June 2012.

Previously, Ms. Wasfy had worked as a General Manager of Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa on Hainan Island in southern China, which is also renowned for being responsible for the property’s successful pre-opening phase.

Since her parents owned a farm and hotel, Ms. Wasfy grew up in the hospitality business. Born in Austria, Ms. Wasfy graduated from Austria’s Commercial Academy and has spent the past 30 years creating an impressive hotelier career.

Having first developed her career at hotels in Austria, Myanmar and Dubai, Ms. Wasfy became General Manager at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel in the Philippines and then at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon in Vietnam. 

For six years, Ms. Wasfy has been a General Manager for Marriott properties in Sanya, Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing, as well as the Renaissance in Shanghai, during which time she achieved numerous noteworthy accolades.

Under her helm, the various hotels and resort she had managed had received very important accolades. The JW Marriott Chongqing had received the Best Business Hotel Award by Business Traveler Magazine for three consecutive years as well as it also won the Best Dining Experience Award.

At Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa, the property had been awarded as the Best Resort Hotel twice, with Ms. Wasfy named as the Best General Manager in the Golden Pillow Awards Beijing.

As General Manager for Beijing Marriott Hotel West, the hotel received the Golden Coconut Award from the Hainan Governor as well as had successfully hosted the Sanya Open Golf Tournament twice, as well as the Golden Roster Film Festival.

Ms Wasfy’s experience also includes being the Vice President for the American Chamber Commerce, European Chamber of Commerce and German Business Association, as well as a board member for various tourism committees.